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Wednesday, 16 September 2015

Contemplation is hot off the easel and the last for a while as we are taking a five week break.
I am taking my paints as I will be attending a 5 day workshop with Fabio Cembranelli in Queensland. It will take us a week towing our caravan to reach the workshop as it is more than 2000 kms away. After the workshop we will be holidaying and taking our time to get back by the end of October. Depending on whether I can live without all this social media interaction or if internet is easily obtained I might not post until I get back. Over on Wash a Week Challenge blog I am scheduling a few posts so I am not so far behind when I return.
A new exhibition opportunity came up this week called "Waterways", to be held at Clayton not so far from where I live so this latest work and three other bird/water theme works will be there for the one day event on October 31st. My studio walls look totally bare as my paintings are hanging all over the state but what better timing can there be.
Time now to pack the painting travel kit and say goodbye to my Studio. Contemplation for me too as to how I will manage with out my daily studio fix.

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

I have found fish paintings to be popular with collectors so when I sell one I like to have another on my studio walls. I am not a photo realist painter so finding ways of capturing the subject that fits my expressive impressions style takes some thought. I loved an image by Ruth Archer on Paint My Photo of a catch of fish but wondered how I might paint the ice. Here are a couple of photos of the steps I took on my phone during the process of completing this painting. I used masking fluid to retain a few bright edges to the ice and when the work was finished I sponged on white gouache in places.

Not following the image realistically but using it for shape and colour. I reversed the direction as I find this helps me create a work with more spontaneity rather than copying a photo. I started by filling the page with eyes. I then added light washes of varied pretty greys with rose madder highlights. I then proceeded to bring out the bodies of the fish.

Friday, 11 September 2015

Here are two paintings finished this week where the subject of the good old Australian Magpie presented me with the challenge to paint them showing that there's more to them than just being black and white. I used lovely varieties of blues, pinks, yellows to create interesting blacks and greys ensuring I carried the same colours throughout the painting as a whole.

Monday, 7 September 2015

I have been experimenting with using Hot Press Paper. I mostly use Saunders Waterford or Arches in the cold or rough surface so this slick surface made a nice challenge.
These two birds are on Arches 300gsm Hot Press. I like how vibrant the colours appear but its hard to be sure if its the surface alone, as I used some brighter pigments to my normal colour choices. I need more experiments.
I posted Mucky Duck on facebook on friday afternoon and received a phone call immediately asking to see it in the real in my studio on Saturday morning. I framed it up and so pleased to say it Sold - "quackest one ever"

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

This is the first time I can say that being a prolific painter has paid off. Today we set up a solo exhibition at Bremerton Wines in Langhorne Creek and because I did have a good amount of framed works I could say yes at short notice to The Kensi Hotel (where I have been part of a show for August) who asked if I would like to have my watercolours remain at the hotel for another couple of months. As I did not want it to be just animals I was able to make a selection of new works for them and still have sufficient for my solo show. At Bremerton Wines I have included quite a few unframed works too. The timing for both shows is excellent as soon we head away for 5 weeks and all these paintings would have been on the walls in my studio with the door locked. I haven't painted for a few days now so hopefully will get into my now very empty looking studio tomorrow.